Legendary US actress Ruby Dee dies at 91

Ruby Dee got a nomination for the 2008 Academy Awards for her role in ''American Gangster.''

Legendary stage and screen actress Ruby Dee, who won acclaim on stage, film and television and became a notable figure in the US civil rights movement, died peacefully at home, a friend of the family said today.

The actress, who was 91 years old, died on Wednesday night in New Rochelle, New York, surrounded by her family.

Ruby was nominated for best supporting actress for her role in the 2007 movie "American Gangster".

"You may be changing your life emphasis, but there’s still things that you have in mind to do that now seems the right time to do. I really don’t believe in retiring as long as you can breathe,” the US artist told the Associated Press in 2001.

Ruby's husband - also an actor and human rights activist -, Ossie Davis died in 2005. They met in 1945 when Ruby auditioned for "Jeb", a Broadway play where Davis was also part of the cast.